Chattahoochee Cougars race past Lambert Longhorns 48, 14

Defense stars early, offense late

Chattahoochee junior Chase Nelson (21) thunders toward the end zone pursued by Lambert players T.J. Russell (6) and Ala Romman (26). Hooch won the game 48-14 on Senior Night in The Arena.

KEITH MAJOR

Chattahoochee senior Alec Rubin (12) runs through a tackle for a long gain against the Lambert Longhorns. Hooch won the game 48-14 on Senior Night in The Arena.

KEITH MAJOR

Posted
Thursday, November 8, 2012 12:00 am

MIKE BLUM

Comment

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – After playing three straight games that were decided in the very late stages of the fourth quarter, the Chattahoochee Cougars finally gave coach Terry Crowder a stress-free Friday night.

The Cougars smothered Lambert in the first half; then blew the game open with an offensive outburst to defeat the Longhorns 48-14.

Lambert, playing without its quarterback and other starters, had no first downs in the first half, and was completely stymied. The half ended with the Cougars leading 14-0. In the second half, the Cougars exploded for 34 points to put the game away.

Chattahoochee drove 80 yards to start the game, with C.J. Leggett scoring on a 3-yard run. Leggett went in from 5 yards out early in the second quarter, with the Cougars scoring touchdowns on their first four series of the second half.

Travis Marshall, who passed for 280 yards, hit Avery Ward for 77 yards to start the Cougars’ second-half scoring. Chase Nelson scored on a 5-yard run after Chattahoochee recovered an onside kick.

Justin Jackson scampered for a 68-yard kickoff return following a Lambert TD. That led to a 21-yard scoring run by Nelson.

Marshall matched another Lambert score with a 5-yard touchdown run, and Jackson added the final Cougars’ score with a 92-yard fumble return.

“Lambert was a shell of what they were,” Chattahoochee coach Terry Crowder said. “They have a lot of kids hurt.”

The Cougars are 4-2 in Region 6-AAAAAA and 6-3 overall, and play Thursday at Centennial for the region’s fourth playoff berth. Lambert is 2-4 and 5-4.